Landscapers’ talent in full bloom at garden show

THE pleasure of a garden: family barbecues, the dawn chorus of birds, children who won’t go to bed because kicking a ball or wielding a hurl outdoors is way too exciting… the memories came flooding back at Bloom garden show in Dublin yesterday.

President Mary McAleese triggered the trip down memory lane when she officially opened the Bord Bia-organised showpiece, which continues in the Phoenix Park until Monday.

She spoke about walks through parkland, the never-ending generosity of nature and the fascinating genius of a new generation of amateur and professional garden landscapers.